The Bureau of Autism Services applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and received approval for a five-year renewal of the AAW, effective July 1, 2016. Click on any of the document names below to view or download detailed information and additional resources.

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General Program Questions

The Adult Autism Waiver is one of two programs in Pennsylvania specifically designed to help adults with autism spectrum disorder participate in their communities in the way that they want to, based on their identified needs. Below are responses to some frequently asked questions about the Adult Autism Waiver. If you can’t find the information you are looking for here, please call 1-866-539-7689 or email us at: ra-odpautismwaiver@pa.gov

What is the Adult Autism Waiver?

The Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) is a 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver designed to provide long-term services and supports for community living, tailored to the specific needs of adults age 21 or older with ASD. The program is designed to help adults with autism spectrum disorder participate in their communities in the way they want to, based upon their identified needs.

What are the goals of the Adult Autism Waiver?

Increase the person’s ability to care for themselves

Decrease family/caregiver stress

Increase quality of life for both the person and the family

Provide specialized supports to adults with autism spectrum disorder based on need

Help adults with autism spectrum disorder reach their employment goals

Support more involvement in community activities

Decrease crisis episodes and psychiatric hospitalizations

What are some of the key features of the Adult Autism Waiver?

Designed to meet the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder

Administered at the state level directly by the Bureau of Autism Services

Higher income eligibility threshold than the eligibility threshold usually applied to persons living in the community

Where is the Adult Autism Waiver offered?

Waiver services are available statewide in Pennsylvania.

How many adults can be served through the Adult Autism Waiver?

For Fiscal Year 2016-2017, the Adult Autism Waiver has capacity to serve 668 adults with autism.

If I am already receiving services, can I still apply for the Adult Autism Waiver?

Yes. A person can request an application while receiving services from another waiver program.

Application requests are placed in one of two categories:

Priority 1: Those who are not already receiving state-funded or state and federally-funded home and community-based services.

Priority 2: Those who are already receiving state-funded or state and federally-funded services (e.g., state center, another waiver, state hospital, nursing home, Intermediate Care Facility).

Everyone who is placed into a priority category will receive a status letter to confirm that category.

The Bureau of Autism Services maintains separate lists of people requesting an application based on their Priority status. No applications will be sent out to people on the Priority 2 list until everyone on the Priority 1 list has had their application processed. Since applications are only sent when there is capacity in the program, this means that it may be a while before people who are already on a waiver receive an application for the Adult Autism Waiver. See the section on the AAW Application Process for more information.

How is Waiver capacity distributed?

Within each priority group, BAS allocates waiver capacity on a regional basis to ensure access across the Commonwealth. Four regions are defined as follows:

When BAS adds new capacity, it will add capacity to each region so that the total waiver capacity is allocated in proportion to Pennsylvania’s population age 21 or older in each region, according to the most recent version of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Estimates.

What role does the individual with autism spectrum disorder play in the Adult Autism Waiver?

The participant is at the center of all service planning and service delivery. During the service planning process waiver participants share their goals, likes and dislikes to help determine what services they will receive. Once enrolled in the Adult Autism Waiver, the participant is actively involved in the services they receive and their ongoing services plan.

What role do families play in the Adult Autism Waiver?

Families have the opportunity to provide information during the service planning process and to provide feedback about the program. Decreased family stress is one goal of the program and is assessed each year.

Eligibility Requirements

Who is eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver?

In order to be eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver, a person must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, a resident of Pennsylvania at the time of enrollment, and meet certain diagnostic, functional and financial eligibility criteria (listed below). Priority is given to people not already receiving state-funded, or state and federally-funded, home and community-based services.

Diagnostic Criteria:

Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) applicable at the time of the diagnosis.

Functional Eligibility:

Must have substantial functional limitations in three or more of the major life activities listed below:

self-care

understanding and use of receptive and expressive language

learning

mobility

self-direction

capacity for independent living

Financial Eligibility:

If the applicant has met all other eligibility criteria, including functional eligibility, the final step in the application process is for the County Assistance Office (CAO) to determine financial eligibility. All waiver programs within the Commonwealth require individuals to meet certain financial eligibility criteria.

The individual must meet the income and resource limits for Medical Assistance and Payment of Long Term Care Services. AAW financial eligibility is based on 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). More information on the Federal Benefit Rate can be found at www.ssa.gov.

Can someone with a diagnosis of an intellectual disability enroll in the Adult Autism Waiver?

Yes, as long as they meet all the eligibility criteria listed above.

If I only get Base-funding services through the Office of Developmental Programs, am I considered in the Priority 2 category?

Base-funding services are not guaranteed from year to year, so it is not considered ongoing funding. A person only receiving Base Service Unit funding would be classified as Priority 1.

If I am found eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver how long can I remain in the program?

There is no time limit or maximum age limit. Participants are assessed each year to ensure they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

Application Process

View the AAW Application Process Overview document. This document includes a Process Flow Chart and outlines and explains the AAW application process from Intake through Enrollment. Specific timeframes are provided wherever possible.

How do I request an application?

There are two ways to request an application for Pennsylvania's adult autism programs: by phone, or online. Applications may not be requested via email or through this website.

To request an application by phone:

Call 1-866-539-7689 (toll-free number) and follow the prompts to select the Adult Autism Waiver or the Adult Community Autism Program. Leave a message with the following information:

Name of person who wishes to apply

Telephone number

Address

County of residence

If you are calling on the behalf of the person who wishes to apply also leave your name and daytime phone number.

To request an application online:

The IRT asks a few basic questions and will link individuals who indicate an interest in Autism Services to the COMPASS website.

Once connected to COMPASS, select "Submit a Referral."

After answering some additional questions, the referral is submitted electronically to the Bureau of Autism Services.

What is the AAW application process?

The Bureau of Autism Services maintains an Interest List of individuals who have requested applications by phone or online, but have not received them.

Application requests are placed on the Interest List in one of two categories:

Priority 1: Those who are not already receiving state-funded or state and federally-funded home and community-based services.

Priority 2: Those who are already receiving state-funded or state and federally-funded services (e.g., state center, another waiver, state hospital, nursing home, Intermediate Care Facility, Residential Treatment Facility, Community Rehabilitation Residence).

The individual will receive a Status Letter at this point. The letter is typically sent within a week of the initial call with the Enrollment Coordinator.

The letter provides documentation that a request for an application has been received.

The letter also indicates whether the individual has been placed on the Interest List in the Priority 1 or Priority 2 category. If there are questions, the Enrollment Coordinator can explain which priority category the individual is in, and why.

Included with the Status Letter is additional information, such as other Pennsylvania resources that may be available.

Important details about the Interest List:

Services are not an entitlement after the age of 21 in Pennsylvania, and like other Pennsylvania programs, the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) is limited in its capacity. Capacity means the number of individuals that can be served at any one time. Capacity is based upon funding being available.

An individual does not need to live in Pennsylvania to be placed on the Interest List.

Being on the Interest List does not mean the individual is eligible for the program. Eligibility is determined during the application process, which is explained in the section below.

Please Note: You must contact BAS if your circumstances change (e.g., you are no longer receiving services through another waiver) or your contact information changes, (e.g., you have moved or have a new email address).

What is the timeline of the application process?

The application process begins when a person on the Interest List receives an application.

It is not possible to determine how long it will take from the time an individual is placed on the Interest List to the time that the person will receive an Application Packet.

Requests for applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis, based on the date and time the individual requested an application by phone or online.

Applications are not sent until there is capacity in the program. If an individual receives an application, it means that there is space within the program, as long as the person meets all of the eligibility requirements.

No assessments or paperwork is required prior to receiving an application.

When an individual reaches the top of the Interest List, and there is available capacity, the next steps depend upon the person's age. If the person is 21 years of age or older, BAS will send the person and/or representative (if applicable) an Application Packet.

If the person is within 30 calendar days of reaching the age of 21, the Application Packet will be mailed on the first business day after the person reaches the age of 21.

If the person is between 18 and 20 years of age, AND not within 30 calendar days of reaching the age of 21, BAS will wait until the person turns 21 and waiver capacity is again available to send an Application Packet.

If the person is younger than 18 years old, the person will be contacted and can choose whether they want to withdraw their request for an application or receive an application. In either case, the person will be advised that they do not meet the age eligibility criteria. The individual has the option to start the process over by requesting an application online or through the toll-free number.

For more information about the application process, please click here: Application Process Overview. Specific timeframes have been included in this detailed overview, wherever possible.

If an applicant has specific questions about his/her stage of the application process, please contact the Adult Autism Waiver staff directly by emailing ra-odpautismwaiver@pa.gov or calling 1-866-539-7689.

Can I apply for more than one Pennsylvania waiver or the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) at the same time, or will applying for one make me ineligible for the other ones?

You may apply for more than one waiver or the Adult Community Autism Program at a time, including the Adult Autism Waiver. However, individuals may not enroll in more than one.

What happens to my waiting list status for the Person/Family Directed Support waiver or the Consolidated waiver if I enroll in the Adult Autism Waiver?

An individual can be on a waiting list for another program while receiving services from the Adult Autism Waiver. However, his or her priority status on that waiting list depends on the individual’s situation and whether unmet needs are anticipated. Applicants should discuss their individual situation with program staff from the Bureau of Autism Services and their county office, which operates the Person/Family Directed Support and Consolidated waivers.

A functional assessment is part of the eligibility process for the Adult Autism Waiver. Who completes the functional assessment and where?

Functional Eligibility is determined by BAS-appointed assessors. The location of the assessment is determined jointly with the applicant; generally, the individual’s home is preferred.

What will the Adult Autism Waiver application packet include? What paperwork will I need to fill out?

The Applicant will receive an Application Packet containing a number of forms that must be completed and returned to the Bureau of Autism Services. The Enrollment Coordinator's contact information is also included within the packet to ensure the applicant knows how to contact BAS if there are any questions while he/she is working on the application. The packet will also include a checklist of the forms that need to be completed before the packet is returned to BAS.

How are individual services determined for participants in the Adult Autism Waiver?

Individual needs and interests are used by the participant and their team to develop the Individual Support Plan (ISP). The ISP Team includes the Supports Coordinator, the individual, and anyone else the individual chooses to have involved. The ISP specifies the services a participant will receive, the reason(s) those services are needed, and the goals and objectives of the services. All plans must be reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Autism Services.

Is there a maximum amount (cap) of waiver- funded services a participant may receive?

No. There is no overall limit (cap) on waiver-funded services. Some services have limits on the number of service hours provided within a specific time frame. Adult Autism Waiver participants receive services based on individual need. More information on service limits can be found at www.autisminpa.org.

Do services change over time? How?

Services in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) will change if the needs of the individual have changed. This is determined at the annual review or at other points during the year if service changes are needed to better support the individual.

Does the Adult Autism Waiver program pay for housing?

While the Residential Habilitation service in the Adult Autism Waiver does include a housing component, it is not designed as a housing alternative for waiver participants who do not need round-the-clock supervision. In order to receive Residential Habilitation services, a waiver participant must show this need during an annual assessment when the service plan is developed. Residential Habilitation is designed for participants who are unable to live at home, either alone, with family or with others, because they require awake support staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The intent of this service is to ultimately reduce the participant’s need for this degree of support by improving the participant’s capacity to perform activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating) and instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., communication, shopping, housework). The goal is for the participant to eventually move to a natural setting in the community. The Adult Autism Waiver does not pay for housing outside of the Residential Habilitation service.

A participant receiving Residential Habilitation services must contribute 72 percent of his or her monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment to the provider for room and board. Residential Habilitation providers in the Adult Autism Waiver must be licensed by the Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs as either a Family Living Provider (Title 55 PA Code Chapter 6500) or a Community Home (Title 55 PA Code Chapter 6400).

Do I keep my HealthChoices managed care plan for other medical services after I join the waiver?

Yes. You will continue to receive your physical and behavioral health care through your current health care plan(s). The Adult Autism Waiver does not cover those services.

How does the Bureau of Autism Services monitor program quality?

Monitoring of the program is an ongoing process throughout the year and includes the following: reports, on-site reviews, interviews with participants, an annual quality review by an outside agency, quality performance outcome measures, and oversight of provider qualifications (including training). Participants are interviewed to find out if they are getting the services in their plan, if they are happy with their services, and if they are treated well by their providers. BAS also checks to make sure participants are healthy and safe. Families can also help with monitoring quality.